Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Weightlifting at the 1906 OlympicsA rare look at the "two arm" lifting event at the 1906 Olympics. Silver Medal winner Joseph Steinbach of Austria is shown here lifting while the eventual winner Demetrius Tofalos of Greece, looks on. (Steinbach took Gold and Tofalos Silver in the "One Hand" event later on.)
Labels: 1906 Olympics, Austrian Strongman, Barbell Lift, Demetrius Tofalos, Globe Barbell, Greek Weightlifter, Joseph Steinbach
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Sunday, February 07, 2010
Tullus Wright: The American Sampson Another rare look at Tullus Wright, The American Sampson and a few of his great stage weights. Note the thick handles on his equipment. He was good friends with George Zottman.
Labels: Classic Equipment, George Zottman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Performing Strongman, The American Sampson, Tullus Wright
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Thursday, January 28, 2010
Hand BalancingI don't know if there has ever been a strength athlete as well-rounded as Sig Klein. He was a champion in pretty much every area of strength training that you could imagine. Here's Sig performing a very interesting hand balancing feat. You also gotta love Sig's taste in equipment as well.
Labels: Balance Feat, Globe Barbell, hand balancer, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Sig Klein
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Lille Athletic ClubIn 1885, Professor Desbonnet established a school of physical culture in his home town of Lille, in northern France. Here's a look at its members and some of their classic equipment, circa 1901. Desbonnet himself is pictured on the far right.
Labels: Block Weights, Chest Expander, Detroit Athletic Club, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Professor Desbonnet, The Lille Athletic Club
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Monday, December 14, 2009
French Gym ~ 1905Here's an awesome French Gym, circa 1905. Looks like it is Noel Le Gaulois' place. The area in front of the weights was actually a sand pit which was there to provide a surface to drop the weights in case of a missed lift. This area was also used for wrestling.
If you look closely, you can see posters on the wall for Batta, Charles Sampson, and Apollon, among others.
Labels: Apollon, Batta, Charles Sampson, Circus Poster, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Noel Le Gaulois
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Thursday, December 03, 2009
Hammer StrengthTim Krumrie, the Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro nose tackle is shown here with a classic Globe Barbell in this early advertisement for Hammer Strength equipment. Krumrie was well-known for his incredible hand strength, which should be an essential part of training programs for the game of football. His specific grip routine can be found in this book. Also, this very same barbell can be seen in use by John Grimek here.
Labels: Advertisement, Globe Barbell, Grip Strength, Hammer Strength, Tim Krumrie
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Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sandow's EquipmentWhere did Sandow get all his great stage weights? Charles Heap and Co., of course. This was back in the 1890's mind you. Sure would be great to have a place to get weights like these now-a-days...
Labels: Barbell, Classic Equipment, Dumbbell, Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Ring Weights
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Monday, November 30, 2009
James J. CarrollJames J. Carroll, of Jamaica, New York, spent most of his adult life fat and out of shape until by happenstance, he watched one of Warren Lincoln Travis' performances. Carroll could not believe that a man could become so strong. After watching Travis in action, Carroll became inspired and later that evening, went down into his basement and lifted (or at least attempted to lift) his coal bin.
Though primitive, this early bit of "training" lit a spark under Carroll, and later, under Travis' tutelage, he achieved a number of notable feats of strength. One of which is shown here, a teeth lift of 318 pounds - a record at the time.
Labels: Globe Barbell, James J. Carroll, Jaw Strength, New York Strongman, Performing Strongman, Teeth Lifting
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Hermann's GymWilliam J. Hermann was a very knowledgeable physical culturist who taugh and heavily influenced Alan Calvert (in fact, Calvert's classic book "Super Strength" is dedicated to him.)
Hermann's gym, located at 1325 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, was one of the popular hangouts for many of the strength stars of the early 20th century, most notably Sig Klein and Milo Steinborn who performed a number of strength feats there. This particular picture was taken in 1931 and shows Milo getting in a quick workout on the brand new open air section of the gym. -- Also of note: that's the same globe barbell used by Al Nino.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Hermann's Gym, Milo Steinborn, Philadelphia Gym, Sig Klein, William J. Hermann
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Charles PhelanA look at the great Conney Island strongman Charles Phelan in mid-"anyhow" with some great stage weights. Phelan also told jokes between feats of strength, billing himself (quite uniquely, I might add) as "The World's Most Entertaining Strongman.
Labels: Charles Phelan, Coney Island, Coney Island Strongman, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, Performing Strongman, Stage Barbell
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Charles Rigoulot: One-Arm SnatchHistory's greatest performer of the One-Arm Snatch was the French weightlifter Charles Rigoulot. His lift of 261 pounds will likely never be surpassed. Here, Rigoulot prepares to one-arm snatch only 220 pounds as an amateur.,
Labels: Charles Rigoulot, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, one arm snatch
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Desbonnet's GymA look at another one of Professor Desbonnet's classic gyms, circa, 1909. Of particular interest are the unique Pushup bars in the foreground - a simple, but very effective, training idea.
Labels: Classic Equipment, Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Professor Desbonnet, Pushups
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The Nordquest BrothersThe Nordquest Brothers, Adolph on the left and Joe on the right, are shown here with some of the classic equipment that they used while performing at Coney Island. They originally hailed from Ashtabula, Ohio. Joe was a year younger than Adolph and they both went on to achieve many incredible strength feats.
Labels: Adolph Nordquest, Classic Equipment, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Joe Nordquest, Nordquest Brothers
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Thursday, November 05, 2009
Klein's GymAnother look at one side of Sig Klein's gym. This was the original location, before he moved to Times Square. Most of the equipment that you see once belonged to Professor Attila. Note the blockweight and Roman Column off to the right. How many famous strongmen can you recognize on the wall? Despite being rather far away, interestingly, you can still pick out many of them.
Labels: Block Weights, Classic Equipment, Classic Strongman Gyms, Dumbbells, Globe Barbell, Roman Column, Sig Klein, Sig Klein's Gym
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Military TrainingMilitary leaders figured out in short order that stronger soldiers were better soldiers. Here's a look at a military training center in Paris, France, circa 1901. Note the climbing ladders in the background on the far right.
Labels: Climbing Ladders, Globe Barbell, Military Training
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Calf TrainingIn the days before calf machines, this is the method by which a lot of lifters trained their lower legs. The great weightlifting champ Dick Bachtell is shown here demonstrating with a pretty awesome Globe Barbell.
Labels: Calf Training, Dick Bachtell, Globe Barbell
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Thursday, October 08, 2009
Early Weightlifting ContestHere's a look at a lifting contest held in the early 1900's ~ quite a bit different than you'll find these days. That's the great Austrian strongman Karl Swoboda lifting the barbell front and center. I think I also recognize Hans Beck and Pierre Bonnes in the crowd.
Labels: Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Hans Beck, Karl Swoboda, Pierre Bonnes, weightlifting
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
Ernest CadineAnother classic shot of the great French Weightlifter Ernest Cadine doing his thing with some classic iron. That looks like one hell of a fine place to train.
Labels: Classic Equipment, Classic Strongman Gyms, Ernest Cadine, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hermann GoernerHermann Goerner was never too far from the weights, even when he was on vacation. Here he snatches 190 pounds with one arm, in street clothes and standing ankle deep in loose sand. - Now that's strong.
Labels: Feats of Strength, German Strongman, Globe Barbell, Hermann Goerner, One hand Snatch
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"Classic Equipment"How you you like to train with this classis equipment? I know I sure would. This group of folks is the "Club Athletique de l'Union Sportive Briviste" - friends and students of Professor Desbonnet. Note the ring weight and chest expander among the other globe barbells and dumbbells.
Labels: Chest Expander, Classic Equipment, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Lifting Club, Professor Desbonnet, Ring Weights
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Sunday, September 13, 2009
What is a Bar-Bell?A look at a Milo Barbell Co. Ad from 1924. In those days, "lifting weights" was not as popular as it is today, hence the need for Alan Calvert to use an ad like this to educate the public as to what a "bar-bell" was and what it could do for someone when they used it correctly. Sig Klein is pictured demonstrating the equipment.
Labels: Advertisement, Alan Calvert, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Kettlebell, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Kettlebell, Sig Klein
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Saturday, September 12, 2009
Young Professor Anthony BarkerHere a young Professor Anthony Barker shows one of the ways to lift a person i.e. with the use of a strong belt. This picture dates to around 1902. Audiences are often much more impressed when a person is lifted -- as opposed to barbells and dumbbells -- even if the "live" weight happens to be lighter than the iron! The young professor understood this, as did many oldtime performing strongmen, which is why it was a very popular feat in many of their acts .
Labels: Globe Barbell, Human Lift, Professor Anthony Barker, Ring Weights
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Melvin Tampke: Wrestler's Bridge PressHere's Melvin Tampke in action once again, this time performing a press with a classic globe barbell from the Wrestler's Bridge position. It would be a very good idea to master the bridge with only bodyweight before moving on to an exercise like this. Doing so, however, will help build a stronger neck as well as tremendous full-body strength.
Labels: Bridge Press, Build Neck Strength, Globe Barbell, Melvin Tampke, Neck Bridge
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
John Grimek and Classic WeightsWhen you work at the York Barbell Company you get to lift some classic weights any time you want to. Here's John Grimek about to do just that. The top one is the famous Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell. The middle one is a giant dumbbell which belonged to the great French strongman Apollon. Dave Sheppard can be seen lifting that one here and I can be found using it here. You can see Grimek using the bottom one here.
Labels: Apollon, Apollon's Dumbbell, Classic Equipment, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, John Grimek, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, York Barbell Company
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Desbonnet's GymA look at Professor Desbonnet's Gym (or at least one of them) circa 1901. Do you think you could get strong training in a place like this?
Labels: Antique Equipment, Classic Gym, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Professor Desbonnet
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Dr. Rouhet's WeightsThe image quality isn't ideal but the subject matter should more than make up for it... I guarantee you have never seen this picture before. Shown is the famous French physical culturalist Dr. Georges Rouhet and some of his fantastic training equipment. Having been at this for a while it certainly appears that the French Strongmen had the best stuff available to train with.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Classic Equipment, Dr. Georges Rouhet, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Ring Weights, Strongman Equipment
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Classic Polish Globe WeightsGreat equipment practically begs to be used and I would say that would definitely be the case here. These classic Globe Barbells, Dumbbells, Kettlebells and Blockweights from a century ago can be found in a Polish Museum.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Block Weights, Classic Equipment, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Polish Weights, Strongman Equipment, Thick Bars
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ernest Cadine ~ Dumbbell SwingIn this classic photo it's not hard to see why the great French weightlifter Ernest Cadine was so formidable. He got this 150 pound dumbbell overhead by way of the "swing". This picture was probably taken at Le Gaulois' place.
Labels: Cannon, Dumbbell Swing, Ernest Cadine, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Noel Le Gaulois, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Swing
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Friday, May 01, 2009
1901 Weightroom"...In his gymnasium Dr. von Krajewski had a great number and variety of weights, dumb-bells, and other apparatus and appliances for the purpose of training. It was, in short, a fully equipped school of physical culture..."THIS is a rare photo of the place that Hack was talking about and I would say it definitely lives up to the billing. Great equipment leads to great workouts and there is no doubt that would be the kind of setup that would help someone build some serious strength. (This photo is also the inspiration for our Limited Edition Trading card Program)
George Hackenschmidt
The Way to Live
Written in 1908
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Dr. von Krajewski, Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt, Globe Barbell, Kettlebells, The Way to Live
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Harry RobinsonHarry Robinson, the secretary of the Australian Weight Lifting Association, gets in a quick bent press workout circa 1929. These particular weights once belonged to the great Scottish Highland Games Champion Donald Dinnie.
Labels: Australian Strongman, Bent Press, Classic Equipment, Classic Kettlebells, Donald Dinnie, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Harry Robinson, Kettlebells, Weight Set
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Monday, March 23, 2009
John GaranJohn Garan began serious physical training after meeting the famous New York strongman Abe Boshes and went on to build one of the most incredible physique of all time.
At a bodyweight of only 155 pounds Garan could regularly squat with over 300 and was also an excellent wrestler. He regularly trained at Sig Klein's Gym and was featured in "Klein's Bell".
Labels: Abe Boshes, Early Bodybuilder, Globe Barbell, John Garan, Klein's Bell, Sig Klein's Gym, Wrestler
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Noel Le GauloisThe French strongman Noel Le Gaulois was the man to beat at certain lifts in the late 19th century. At the Brussels exhibition of 1897, he performed a two-arm snatch with 220 pounds, a 253-pound two-arm jerk and a 143-pound one-arm snatch... All lifts which would still be respectable a century later.
He could also lift a full wine barrel. Like many strongmen of the period, he was also a very good wrestler. Later on, Le Gaulois owned a café/gymnasium which was the gathering place for the famous strongmen of the day.
Labels: Barrel Lifting, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Jerk, Noel Le Gaulois, Oldtime Strongman, one arm snatch, Snatch
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Monday, March 16, 2009
T.H. Sarkari - The Indian SandowT.H. Sarkari lifting in a contest circa 1920. Sarkari was known as "The Indian Sandow" for promoting the importance of physical training and weight lifting in his native country.
Labels: Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell, Indian Sandow, T.H. Sarkari
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dr. RouhetDr. Rouhet, the great French physical culture instructor, shows off his ability and his training equipment. His favorite feat was to muscle out a 44-pound French ring weight which he does here while also pressing a huge globe dumbbell. Among the other great oldtime equipment, note the heavy indian club on the left. The picture dates to 1910.
Labels: Dr. Georges Rouhet, Dr. Rouhet, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Heavy Indian Clubs, Muscle Out, Physical Culture, Press
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Primo CarneraYou may know that "The Preem" Primo Carnera was the Heavyweight boxing Champion of the world from 1933-1934 but you probably didn't know that he was also a performing strongman as well. He achieved a one-hand snatch of 220 pounds and could clean and jerk over 300 -- pretty good for someone who was 6'6".
Labels: Boxing, Clean and Jerk, Globe Barbell, Italian Strongman, Oldtime Boxers, One hand Snatch, Primo Carnera, Strongman
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Charles Rigoulot: One Arm SnatchCharles Rigoulot was the last great lifter to forgo shot-loaded equipment in favor of plate-loaded equipment. He was the first man to clean and jerk over 400 pounds as well as lift Apollon's Wheels. Rigoulot broke 57 weightlifting records over the course of his career, one of which was a one-arm snatch of 261 pounds. Rigoulot was also a very successful professional wrestler and his greatest match was against Milo Steinborn.
Labels: Charles Rigoulot, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk Record, Globe Barbell, Milo Steinborn, one arm snatch, Plate-Loaded, Professional Wrestling, Shot Loaded
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Friday, February 27, 2009
Rigoulot's Custom BarbellAnother look at Charles Rigoulot's custom barbell and the modern reproduction made by Andy Jackson. In over fifty years, I do not believe that either of these series of pictures have ever been compared side-by-side, except in this post and this one. I wonder if we will ever see a barbell of this type ever again?
Labels: Andy Jackson, Charles Rigoulot, Globe Barbell, Oldtime Strength Equipment
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
Melvin TampkeMelvin Tampke was frequently featured in Alan Calvert's Strength Magazine. Here he does a one arm clean and jerk with an excellent Thick Handled globe barbell.
Labels: Alan Calvert, Globe Barbell, Melvin Tampke, Strength Magazine, Thick Handle
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Classic Globe BarbellI'm convinced, but thought I would put these pictures side-by-side so you can decide for yourself. I believe this is the very same globe barbell in action. On the left, the great French weightlifter Ernest Cadine circa 1920. On the right, the great American lifter and Gold medalist Tommy Kono, circa 1954.
Labels: Ernest Cadine, Globe Barbell, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Tommy Kono
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bob HoffmanHere's a classic shot of Bob Hoffman at the old Broad Street Gym demonstrating one of his favorite exercises, squatting on the toes. That's a pretty nifty globe barbell that ol' BoHo is using, and , of course, he's wearing his trusty York Barbell Club t-shirt. The fellow on the left is Frank Findley, the great physical culture coach and gym owner from Australia.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Broad Street Gym, Frank Findley, Globe Barbell, Leg Exercise, Squatting Feat, York Barbell Club t-shirt, York Gym
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Monday, February 16, 2009
Ralph HalpernRalph Halpern performs a... well I don't know what you call this lift but it looks pretty tough. It's a sort of variation of the one-arm get up. Note the classic weights both in use and stacked neatly against the wall. This picture was taken while Ralph was training at Sig Klein's Gym.
Labels: Globe Barbell, One Arm Lift, Ralph Halpern, Sig Klein
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Charles RigoulotCharles Rigoulot was the last great strongmen to lift primarily shot-loaded globe barbells. He did so until late in the 20s, well after plate-loaded equipment became the norm. The very last Olympic Games which gave lifters a choice between using "new" barbells and plates and "outdated" Shot-Loaded globe barbells was at the 1924 games held in Paris, France.
...The very same games where Rigoulot won the gold medal in the heavyweight class. He was the only lifter in the contest to choose shot-loaded barbells. Perhaps he knew a secret...
Labels: 1924 Olympics, Charles Rigoulot, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Shot Loaded, Shot Loaded Barbells
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Owen Carr and Al TauscherA selection of great oldtime weights: barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, kettlebell handles and a thick-handled exhibition bell. On the left is Owen Carr, a physical education director in the Portland, Oregon School district for over forty years and the man that organized the first weightlifting team in the state of Oregon.
On the right is Al Tauscher, Carr's friend and training partner. Both strongmen were regularly featured in early issues of Strength Magazine. This picture was taken around 1916.
Labels: Al Tauscher, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, kettlebell handles, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Owen Carr, Stage Barbell
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Demetrius TofalosThe great Greek Lifter Demetrius Tofalos finishing up a lift with a classic barbell in an early weightlifting contest. Tofalos was the gold medal winner at the 1906 Olympics.
Labels: 1906 Olympics, Demetrius Tofalos, Globe Barbell
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Friday, January 23, 2009
An Unusual BarbellJ. J. Brown doing a few overhead presses with a very interesting looking barbell in a gymnasium at the Shakespeare Avenue police station in Chicago, Illinois circa 1924. I wonder if he borrowed it from Arthur Saxon.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Globe Barbell, Overhead Press
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Madame Yucca - The Female HerculesA rare poster featuring Madame Yucca as perforoming in the Forepaugh and Sells Brother Circus. The Female Hercules was shown lifting various globe weights overhead, harness liftnig several animals including an elephant and even lifting an anvil with her teeth. Note the use of kettlebells for one and two arm lifts. The poster dates from 1898.
Labels: Adam Forepaugh, Anvil Lifting, Circus, Circus Poster, Feat, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Harness Lifting, Madame Yucca, Sells Brothers Circus, Strongwoman, Teeth Lifting
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Sunday, January 04, 2009
Rigoulot's BarbellOne of the most famous barbells in history is the special weight that Charles Rigoulot made his 314-pound snatch and 402-pound clean-and-jerk. Andy Jackson, manufacturer of the famous Jackson Olympic-type Barbells, is here shown with a copy of the famous Rigoulot barbell made up for the strongman 'Sailor' Jim White. The bar is 9' in length, the revolving globes are 18-inches in diameter.
Labels: Andy Jackson, Challenge Weight, Charles Rigoulot, Clean and Jerk, Famous Barbell, Globe Barbell, Jackson Barbell Company, Snatch
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Friday, December 26, 2008
Arthur Saxon's Unusual Challenge BarbellA rare look a Arthur Saxon's unique challenge barbell - The great Sandow failed on five attempts to bent-press. Saxon, however, eaily lifted this mighty weight overhead on a daily basis.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Bent Press, Challenge Weight, Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
| Another great shot of the champion French Weight lifter Ernest Cadine at the conclusion of a heavy one-arm snatch. Even though the quality of this old picture is not perfect, Cadine's incredible muscle density is evident. It's not hard to see why he won the gold medal at the 1920 Olympic Games, likely around the same time this picture was taken. Note the cannon on the wall behind him. Yes, it was used specifically for lifting purposes. |  Ernest Cadine |
Labels: 1920 Olympics, Cannon, Ernest Cadine, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, Gold Medal, one arm snatch
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Arthur LeslieArthur Leslie was just a guy who trained at Sig Klein's Gym in New York City. The reason Leslie began training in the first place is that he became tired of being weak and overweight. At 46 years years old he had never touched a weight before but soon after he began training he began to see tremendous results. In fact his results were so dramatic, Sig Klein featured him in several occasions in his publication Klein's Bell. Here he is with a great Thick-Handled show barbell. Leslie was 59 years of age when this picture was taken.
Labels: Arthur Leslie, Globe Barbell, Kleins Bell, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Thick Handle
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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